Stalin as military commander

"Stalin alone was responsible for the heavy losses of 1941 and 1942. But if he is to bear the blame for the defeats of the first two years of war, he must be allowed the credit for the amazing successes of 1944 ... Some of these victories must be reckoned as among the most outstanding in the world's military history." The Stalin volume in the "Military Commanders" series, written by career British Army officer Albert Seaton, ranks as one of the most balanced and perceptive studies ever done of the Soviet leader. Seaton wrote his study during the "Detente" phase of the Cold War, when a great deal of Soviet hisrorical material was available and idealogical rancor was at a low ebb. Although he had no formal military training, Stalin undertook great responsibilities during the Russian Civil War of 191 7-20. In many cases he led armies in areas that were to play a crucial role in World War II. He was particularly effective in the defense of the town of Tsaritsyn on the southern front, which was renamed "Stalingrad" in his honor after the civil war. Drawing on a variety of sources and eyewitness accounts, Seaton shows that Stalin was thoroughly in control of and directly involved in the Soviet military effort during World War II. Although he does not hesitate to show where the less appeal- ing aspects of Stalin's character interfered with his performance, Seaton presents an often-surprising portrait of the achievements of one of the twentieth century's most controversial figures.